[ Matt nods softly, in acknowledgement of what Liem's said rather than strict agreement. And he considers. ]

It's a part of it, [ he allows, and then allows further, ] a big part. I can do some small things with magic here that I couldn't do back home--illusions, mainly, and some elemental magic is coming easier--but it doesn't feel the same to cast spells anymore as it felt back home. Like I was tapping into something limitless.

[ He speaks in a quiet, careful tone, but honestly Matt wouldn't be saying any of this if he hadn't spent so much of the day drinking. He takes another sip now. ]

Magic's the only thing I've ever been really good at. So I thought, if there was a chance I could gain some longer-term magical boost ...

Maybe it'd be worth it. I could make it worth it.